“We will continue to provide assistance and protection to Ukrainians in the United States,” Homeland Security Minister Alejandro Mallorcas said in a statement, due to the “crazy war and violence” taking place in their country.
“We condemn the unprovoked attack” launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin against Ukraine and on Thursday completed its first week, saying he was “proud” to be granted such protection, he added in a video posted on social media.
The statement explained that the measure will be in effect for 18 months, and it applies to Ukrainians who arrived in the United States before March 1, and therefore does not apply to those who flee today or in the future from the fighting in their country.
The authorities did not specify the number of those involved in the procedure, but US media indicated that about 4,000 undocumented Ukrainians were at risk of deportation when this announcement was made, and that there are approximately 30,000 others whose student or tourist visas will expire soon.
Several members of Congress had asked the administration of President Joe Biden to grant them protected status. Among those lawmakers was Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, who commented on the decision on Twitter that “the United States stands with the Ukrainian people.”
The US decision is much more limited in scope than the decision of the European Union countries, which unanimously agreed Thursday to grant “temporary protection” to refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, whether they are citizens or long-term residents of that country.
The decision will allow them to stay and work in the European Union for one year, subject to renewal, in addition to benefiting from the school system and access to medical care.